Pakistani-Afghan border clash reportedly kills 5, injures 3

ISLAMABAD

At least five people were killed and three injured in a border clash between Pakistan and Afghanistan, according to local media reports on Saturday.

The Afghan Defense Ministry confirmed the clash in a statement posted on X, claiming that its forces conducted attacks inside Pakistani territory targeting "miscreants' hideouts."

"Several points beyond the ‘assumptive lines’ (Afghanistan-Pakistan border) where the attacks in Afghanistan were organized and coordinated from wicked elements’ hideaways, centers, and supporters were targeted in retaliation from the southern side of the country," the ministry said.

However, the ministry did not explain "miscreants" or provide additional information about the casualties and locations targeted within Pakistani territory.

According to Kabul-based local Tolo News, Pakistani forces fired a mortar shell in the Dand-e-Patan district of Paktia province, killing at least five people and injuring three.

Following clashes, approximately 1,000 people fled to the neighboring Alisher district of Khost province.

However, the Pakistani army has yet to confirm any clashes with Afghan forces.

The fighting, which reportedly began around 1 a.m. local time on December 27, lasted several hours, with both sides exchanging heavy fire, another Afghan media outlet, Amu, reported on Saturday, citing sources.

According to the media outlet, some rockets fired by Pakistani forces struck civilian homes, but no details on casualties or damage on either side were provided.

The latest Afghan Defense Ministry claim comes after Pakistan's Foreign Ministry on Thursday confirmed that its forces carried out airstrikes inside Afghanistan, killing "terrorists."

The interim Taliban administration in Kabul on Tuesday night claimed that the Pakistani military carried out airstrikes, the second such cross-border action by Islamabad since March, in the Barmal district of eastern Paktika province.

Sharing details on Wednesday, the Taliban administration deputy spokesman Mullah Hamdullah Fitrat said the bombing by Pakistani jets killed 46 people, including women and children, and injured six others. He added houses were also destroyed.

Following the airstrikes, Kabul said the Taliban administration “will not leave this cowardly act unanswered."

However, Islamabad rejected the reports that Pakistan targeted children and women.

Meanwhile, at least four people were injured in an explosion in the Afghan capital of Kabul on Saturday.

According to Khalid Zadran, spokesperson for the Kabul Police Command, the explosion occurred near Shaikh Zayed Hospital, where the injured were taken for treatment.